The Touch of the Master's Hand

by Larry Barkdull

When the Widener family tries to raise enough money for young Jeannie's medical treatment, they are touched by the generosity and love of their neighbors and the healing gift of a violin

Genres: Religion, Fiction, Lds

109 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1998

About the author

I am a longtime publisher and writer of books, music, art and magazines. My most recent books are Priesthood Power–Blessing the Sick and the Afflicted and Rescuing Wayward Children. I have just completed a major 5-book doctrinal series called The Three Pillars of Zion, which was announced August 2009. I have created two Facebook groups called, “Rescuing Wayward Children” and “Three Pillars of Zion–Becoming a Zion Person.”

For nine years, I owned Sonos Music Resources and published the Tabernacle Choir Performance Library, and I was also the owner and publisher of Keepsake Books. Combined, I have published about 600 products for numerous authors, composers and artists. I founded two non-profit organizations: The Latter-day Foundation for the Arts, Education and Humanity (to promote LDS arts), and Gospel Ideals International (to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ on the Internet). My wife, Elizabeth (Buffie), and I have been married for 38 years we have ten children and 15 grandchildren. We live in Orem, Utah. Visit me on Facebook: “Larry Barkdull”

from http://www.larrybarkdull.com/about-me

Reviews

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little stories of service and how the power of lifting others elevates everyone around you.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so I'm a sucker for feel good books, such as The Touch of the Master's Hand, there's no denying it. Anyone in this world with eyes half open sees enough ugliness to last three lifetimes. I don't want to go seek it out in the books I read also. So more and more when reading fiction I find myself leaning toward those simple, gentle, warmhearted reflections on good people and families. Facing challenges, yes, but doing so with love and courage and strength of character.

For just these reasons, I have always loved the poem titled The Touch of the Master's Hand upon which this book is loosely based. It's the poem (not the book) that was my reason for including it on my childhood favorites bookshelf. The book follows the experiences of a young boy as he learns of life and love and forgiveness and friendship and other important qualities. It is the kind of story that brings peace to one's heart, and that makes one ponder gratefully on such things. I recommend it to others who, like me, shamelessly seek out the gentle things in life.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me a little...I was expecting it to be a trite, religious book, which in some ways it was. But, it also really left me thinking about the power of serving others and how doing kind things for people, even if they are not people we like, can truly change how we view and feel about them. The part about the root beer had me laughing out loud, and overall the book left me searching for evidences of "the Master's Hand" in my own life. It was a quick, pleasant, uplifting read.

[Dee Toomey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story, written about a family back in the depression era. Written from the point of view of a young boy, Shadrach Widener who watches as his beloved sister, Jeannie, stuck with a serious illness, and the miracle of healing that Jeannie experiences through the gift of a violin from a mysterious old man. I enjoyed this book, but not as much as Barkdull's "The Mourning Dove". Still, it's a good read and worth the short time it takes to read this short novel.

[Bart Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book my sweat wife and I read together, sitting together before we were even engaged. On a dock, on the couch, wherever we could be - it was fun. A sweet message for such a sweet time in my life!

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a sweet, sometimes funny collection of stories that are combined into a novel... but mostly still read like individual events. Kind of like Little Britches does. Not to say that this is Little Britches by any means, but you get the idea. :) Fun fact for Melissa: It is set in Iona, Idaho!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun side note that this story took place in Iona (Beautiful in Hebrew), Idaho. It has a great message about accepting God's will in our lives and finding gratitude even in our trials. I really enjoy Larry Barkdull's style of writing.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Such a good story, with fun, but also a good message.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short little book and I loved it! A very touching story. Read it!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

cried for sorrow and joy over this one. sweet, short, and memorable. learned a lot and loved his adaptation of the great poem into a story all can relate to.

[Michelle]

simple, sweet growing-up story set in Iona, Idaho